Conversionless efficient and broadband laser light diffusers for high brightness illumination applications

Enthalten in
Nature Communications 
Volume
11
Issue
1
Article Number
1437
Citation
Nature Communications 1 (11): 1437 (2020)
Publisher DOI
10.1038/s41467-020-14875-z
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85082019178
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group UK
Laser diodes are efficient light sources. However, state-of-the-art laser diode-based lighting systems rely on light-converting inorganic phosphor materials, which strongly limit the efficiency and lifetime, as well as achievable light output due to energy losses, saturation, thermal degradation, and low irradiance levels. Here, we demonstrate a macroscopically expanded, three-dimensional diffuser composed of interconnected hollow hexagonal boron nitride microtubes with nanoscopic wall-thickness, acting as an artificial solid fog, capable of withstanding ~10 times the irradiance level of remote phosphors. In contrast to phosphors, no light conversion is required as the diffuser relies solely on strong broadband (full visible range) lossless multiple light scattering events, enabled by a highly porous (>99.99%) non-absorbing nanoarchitecture, resulting in efficiencies of ~98%. This can unleash the potential of lasers for high-brightness lighting applications, such as automotive headlights, projection technology or lighting for large spaces.
DDC Class
620: Ingenieurwissenschaften
More Funding Information
Funding by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft under contracts CRC 1261, AD 183/27-1, FOR 1616, and SCHU 926/25-1, European Commission under the Graphene Flagship, ERC grant Hetero2D, EPSRC grants EP/L016087/1, EP/K01711X/1, EP/R511547/1, EP/K017144/1, EP/P02534X/1, FET Proactive Neurofibres grant No. 732344, FET Open BOHEME grant No. 863179, the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) under the “Departments of Excellence” grant L.232/2016, ARS01-01384-PROSCAN, PRIN-20177TTP3S, Trinity College, Cambridge, the Isaac Newton Trust, and the Institute for Basic Science (IBS-R019-D1).